A United Airlines flight headed for Minneapolis made an unexpected stop in Madison, Wisconsin. A passenger reportedly tried to break into the cockpit, causing the diversion on Friday evening. The flight had initially departed from Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport around 8 p.m. CDT.
United Airlines confirmed the incident in a statement. They mentioned that the flight landed safely at Dane County Regional Airport to handle a security issue involving a disruptive passenger. The aircraft touched down in Madison about 90 minutes after leaving Chicago.
While specific details of the security concern were not disclosed, audio from Dane County Regional Airport’s air traffic control indicates the passenger made several attempts to breach the cockpit. “I do not believe they ever cuffed him, but they were able to finally get control of him,” a crew member noted in the communication, adding that law enforcement officers positioned themselves near the passenger.
Scanner audio from the Dane County Sheriff’s Office, reviewed by Fox News Digital, provided further insights. A sheriff’s office member commented that five off-duty law enforcement officers on the flight helped detain the individual. Authorities removed the passenger from the plane at around 10:30 p.m. CDT.
Following the event, the FBI and local law enforcement were informed. The FBI in Milwaukee stated that law enforcement partners swiftly responded to the situation, and while the Dane County Sheriff’s Office detained the subject, other passengers were able to continue their journey.